My Scheduled C-Section

I found out 4 weeks ago that I may need a C-Section to deliver my sweet boy. I went in that day for my regular OB appointment with my only question being "With me having gestational diabetes, what are the chances of me delivering early?" With that question, was a lengthy discussion with my doctor. Ty is already measuring big for 2 reasons: I have GD and my husband was a big baby. He weighed 8lb 9oz and was 3 weeks early! My poor MIL. <3 Throughout the discussion, My Dr. gave me the scenario of if I delivered vaginally what some risks, current and later on, that I and/or Ty could endure. He also said, ultimately the section is my decision. But he of course recommended the section. I have a very small pelvic area, and with Ty growing at the rate he is growing, and the size of his head already (in a previous post), it could possibly cause fetal stress and hours of labor. My blood pressure then becomes and issue, which can be very dangerous for Ty.  If I am able to have him, I may have issues later on.  This was new to me. Issues later on? Well after talking to a sweet friend of mine, I have found that she, in fact, is having these issues after delivering her large baby.  Her child is almost 8 and she is having bladder problems, etc.

After discussing this with him, I called my husband in tears. I mean, isn't it every mom's dream to have her baby the way she always envisioned it? However, after calming down, speaking with him and our mothers, I have come to the decision that this is definitely the best choice for Ty and me.  We will be in a completely controlled environment, I know there is no stress to him, and he will be delivered in a matter of minutes.  I asked my nurse at birthing class so many questions, and she was fabulous to discuss and answer them for me. :)

As of right now, my date is December 17th. I will go for pre-op blood work on December 14th.  This many sound utterly selfish, but it is a slight relief that I know we will be home and settled before Christmas.  Christmas is such a busy few days for us. The girls are of course from a split home, so they have so many places and people to visit. I am so happy that they don't have to change and always have to work around Ty and vice versa. Plus, I was worried about having Ty on Christmas eve or Christmas because I want him to know and love the real reason for Christmas. Not that it is also his birthday. Selfish I know, but emotionally, it will work so much better.

If, when I go in for my next measuring ultrasound, Ty is measuring even larger, we will move my section up 5 days to the 12th. I will be 38 1/2 weeks at that time. Also, if at 36-37 weeks I am dilated in any way, we may try to have him vaginally.  That decision will be made at that time.

I am so blessed that God would allow us to be the parents of this little boy. As nervous and stressed out as I was in the beginning, I know in the end, when it is all said and done, I will have my precious baby in my arms.  The recovery may be longer, but I'm not worried about that.

Please keep my baby, husband, and I in your prayers as we embark on this journey.  It is so hard to believe that it will be upon us so quickly!  Will update as my date nears!

31-32 weeks

Whew! The last few weeks have been whirl wind! I have been so busy! <3

How Far Along: 32 weeks 

Size of baby: He is the size of a jicama. What is that? Average: about 16.7 inches long and average about 3.75 pounds. 

Total Weight Gain/Loss: Up 10.5 pounds as of 31w2d! I am sure I am up at least 11 now. Doctor seemed very pleased that I am finally putting on weight. I know baby T is getting plump and happy. <3

Maternity Clothes: Mostly maternity. A few of my regular shirts still fit.

Gender:  Bouncing Baby Boy!! Mama's prince, Ty.

Stretch marks: No new ones. :) But with my belly growing at the pace it is, I know they are coming. I have been using my Bio Oil and lotion religiously.

Movement: Movement. That is an understatement! Little man is going to be a soccer player. lol. He has the strongest punches and kicks. I know he doesn't have much room in there and he is just trying to get comfy. 

Sleep:  What's that? I am up at least 3-4 times a night for potty break. And up at least 5-6 times because my hips are hurting. Last night, I woke up at 2:45. Let's just say, I watched tv and got a load of laundry done. I was wide awake for about hours! I know I will crash this evening. :)

What I miss: Nothing. :) Even with the pain, no sleep, and uncomfortableness. I am absolutely loving every stage of this pregnancy. I can not wait to meet my son! <3

Cravings: Drinking my skim milk like crazy and still wanting mexican food.

Symptoms: Standard 3rd trimester symptoms: exhaustion, leg cramps, back aches, and pressure

 Best Moments this week: Lots!

Recap for last two weeks:  

• I had my first baby shower last weekend and it was so special! It was hosted my my sweet DH's wonderful family. Post to come later. :)  
• Doctor's appointment went well this week. Like I said earlier, Doc was happy with my weight gain. I have my c-section scheduled for December 17 (more on that later, too) 
• I truly feel like Ty has dropped. The pressure is almost unbearable at times. I have to stop mid-step or mid-sentence because he has decided to head butt my cervix.  This third trimester stuff can be uncomfortable!
• Nesting has began. Yesterday I completely reorganized my master closet, master bath, and master dresser and chest drawers. One room down, too many more to come!
• We have almost officially completed our basement! I have a few more finishing touches and it will be complete! (later post as well :)
• Going to start washing Ty's clothes today :) and I'm going to start packing our bags and making my baby list.  Also, have gotten everything for my L&D nurse goodie bags. <3
• Dinner with a preggo friend and her hubby last night. :)
• Hiccups are nonstop, very low, and time of day and night. I love his hiccups, although they are CONSTANT! But I am so happy because I know that means his little lungs are developing just the way they should! 

Hurricane Sandy is hitting the Mis-Atlantic this week. This will definitely go in his baby book. Tropical storm Tony was right behind her.  Write up in the news:  Short-lived and anemic, Tropical Storm Tony was overshadowed by the much more powerful Hurricane Sandy in the past week.  Yet after swirling in the Central Atlantic for less than three days, Tony made 2012 the third busiest season on record -- tied with 1887, 1995, 2010 and 2011. And it made the past three years the busiest stretch since 1851, when tropical records started.

I love how the "more powerful Sandy" has overshadowed Tony. This definitely isn't the case in our home, but funny to read about. lol.

This is a picture of Leanne (6 months) and I (8 months) after dinner last night.

I have right many posts coming up! Just finding the time to do it is hard!!!

Project of the moment!

Coming to you soon, the new and improved Deal Family Home Management Binder. The informational hub of our family. The cockpit of the Deal home. :) Hopefully will be done in a few weeks! *eeeek! It is NOT sad that I get so excited over these things. :)

30 weeks

How Far Along: 30 weeks Hard to believe that because of his size he will more than likely be here in 8.5 weeks!

Size of baby: He is the size of a head of cabbage.  Average: about 15.7 inches long and average about 3 pounds. 

Total Weight Gain/Loss: Up 7.5 pounds. Thought it would have been more, but it is holding steady.

Maternity Clothes: Still mix and match. Most regular shirts are getting short.

Gender:  Bouncing Baby Boy!! Mama's prince, Ty.

Stretch marks: No new ones. :)

Movement: Movement is fabulous! He is getting on a routine now!

Sleep:  Sleep is ok. Several potty runs and several wide awake baby episodes makes sleep a little less.

What I miss: Nothing. :)

Cravings: Drinking my skim milk like crazy and still wanting mexican food.

Symptoms: Standard 3rd trimester symptoms: exhaustion, leg cramps, back aches

 Best Moments this week: Maternity/family photo session today and what I KNOW was hiccups this afternoon. <3

This pic is from my maternity session today, conveniently on my 30 week mark. :)

Will post full maternity session when I receive them. :)

29 weeks

How Far Along: 29 weeks (back to my original due date)

Size of baby: He is the size of an acorn squash.  Average: about 15.2 inches long and about 2.5 pounds. Since Ty was measuring in at 2 lb 11 oz about 2 weeks ago, and if he gains a 1/2 pound a week like the average 3rd trimester baby gains, then he weighs around 3.5 lbs! 

Total Weight Gain/Loss: Up at least 9 pounds. I haven't weighed at home. Doctor's appointment tomorrow!

Maternity Clothes: Mix and match. Some regular shirts still fit but they are getting short. The picture below is in a regular shirt.

Gender:  Bouncing Baby Boy!! Mama's prince, Ty.

Stretch marks: No new ones. :)

Movement: Movement is fabulous! I feel what I think is hiccups! It almost tickles. He is responding to touch and has me up more at night.

Sleep:  Sleep is ok. Several potty runs and several wide awake baby episodes makes sleep a little less.

What I miss: Being able to bend over with ease. And of course since being diagnosed with gestational diabetes, I miss being able to eat what ever I want. :)

Cravings: None. Still want my milk, but doctor's orders say I had to switch to skim. blech!

Symptoms: Leg cramps, back ache, and the true 3rd trimester exhaustion has officially hit.

 Best Moments this week: Ty's quilt came in. <3 We started birthing classes last week and our next one is tonight!

Here is a picture of Ty's quilt (The Madras Nursery Collection from Pottery Barn Kids)

Here is me at 29 weeks! Belly is grooooooowing! Ty is all balled up in there and growing like a weed! He's my little butterball. <3

Pregnancy Update and Gestational Diabetes

Wow! Have I really not done my Tummy Tracker in two weeks? Good gracious. I have been so busy! I, along with another friend of mine, threw a baby shower for a friend of ours yesterday! I will do a separate post this week on that. :) Let's just say, I was utterly beyond exhausted yesterday evening when I got home!!

Back to little Ty. I went and took my glucose test on Sunday, September 30. I had to do a 12 hour fast before had and I headed over at 8:30 to drink this stuff:

It wasn't that bad. The first few sips were cold and tasted like Fanta. However, after a few sips, it was so sweet it burned! I sat there for an hour, did a little people watching, got my blood taken, and went home. :)

I didn't think about my test once, not even at all. So it was a total shock when I received a call from my OB office the next Wednesday saying I had failed my test! What? And not even just failed it, I failed it horribly!

My 1 hour results should have been at 120, mine were 182. I was floored. I mean, I have had TROUBLE gaining weight! I want to eat LESS sugar than I did before I got pregnant. Surely it was a fluke.

Well, I did not take the 3 hour test because my numbers were so high and I am automatically labeled as having gestational diabetes. So on Thursday afternoon, I started with the dreaded "stick". Four times a day. I test my glucose upon waking, two hours after breakfast, before dinner, and two hours after dinner.

I am on the exchange diet, which I love! Well, I don't love a diet anything. But I would rather be on the exchange diet than the carb counting diet. I have a list of what I can eat and in what combinations. Easy, peasy!

I did so well with my eating and as of Friday afternoon, my numbers were right where they needed to be! So what did I do? I went out to eat Mexican with my hubby. Mistake. 10 hours after I ate dinner, my numbers where STILL too high! It took all of Saturday to get my numbers back where they needed to be.  I have learned my lesson and will be following my diet better. I don't want to do anything that could cause harm to my little fella. <3

I will update more on this and how I am doing and different meal options I have. This definitely has been a hard pill to swallow. The hardest part about this is the fact that food is one of the joys my husband and I share. We both love to cook and try new things. I can not wait, however, to try new healthy recipes! Thanks Pinterest for giving me ideas!

Now that we know that I have gestational diabetes, we know why Ty was measuring larger than he should be. My due date is now back to December 23rd with the understanding that he will probably come a little early.  This means that I am 29 weeks today! I will have all my bags packed and ready at about 36 weeks just in case.

I ask for prayers as I try to control this gestational diabetes and that Ty grows at the correct pace and correct size and is healthy. <3